Nextgem project studies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in relation to health/ iStock
The European NextGem project (https://www.nextgem.eu/), aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens from existing and future telecommunications technologies based on electromagnetic fields, has just presented some of the first results in Greece. The project involves the CSIC’s Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB) and is coordinated by the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Greece.
Partners include research institutions, universities, public and governmental organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises and industries.
After fifteen months of work, the project has made significant progress, such as identifying the needs and concerns of stakeholders in a constantly changing telecommunications environment, and determining the patterns and characteristics of past and present electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure.
The results include the development of ERMES, a software for modelling the distribution of electromagnetic fields in organisms and predicting their incidence in the body
The architecture of the NIKH platform has also been designed to support the full lifecycle of data generated in Nextgem in an inclusive and open manner. NIKH, or 'Innovation and Knowledge Hub', is an online tool dedicated to storing innovations and research results produced in the framework of the project, including external scientific knowledge from previous or collaborative research.
Software for modelling the electromagnetic impact on organisms
Results include the development of ERMES, a computer programme to model the distribution of electromagnetic fields in organisms with different body shapes and predict their impact on the surface and deep layers of the body.
In parallel, portable sensors are being designed to monitor in real time the intensity of electromagnetic fields absorbed by end-users during their daily activities.
Homogenising experiments
For biological experiments, the project is working to assess the exposure of proteins to electromagnetic fields. Experiments with human cells and C. elegans, an earthworm used as a laboratory model, are also being prepared. Experiments with human volunteers are in the early stages, as the necessary ethical approval is still being processed.
Project members agree on the need to homogenise experimental conditions to achieve better harmonisation of results, which would allow the development of optimal hazard and risk assessments.
Fifteen months after the start of the project, the participants have met in Greece (pictured) to show the first results
European cluster for studying exposure to electromagnetic fields
Nextgem is part of the European cluster to study exposure to electromagnetic fields CLUE-H, together with the Seawave, Etain and Goliath projects. All four projects were selected in the framework of the Horizon call "Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health".
The CLUE-H cluster aims to optimise collaborations, establish common strategies, avoid overlaps and increase the impact of individual projects.